Civic Freedom Monitor: Peru

Introduction

NGOs in Peru have played an important role in national development because of the country's history of military rule, democratic instability and corruption. Although NGOs have long existed in Peru, an NGO boom truly began in the 1970s under the government of Juan Velasco Alverado. The expansion of the NGO sector at that time took place because of the supportive atmosphere for reform in the country.

There was a second proliferation of NGOs in the 1980s with the re-emergence of a democratic government, which focused on grassroots issues. Because of the political environment in which many of these organizations emerged, they were committed to the idea of development that did not originate from a top-down approach.

Nonetheless, high levels of corruption, particularly under the Fujimori government in the 1990s, coupled with a politically-left NGO community, has led to frequent tensions between NGOs and the government and crackdowns on NGO activities for several decades.

Currently, the regulatory framework in civil matters in Peru generally remains quite flexible; however, there is no state policy of granting greater tax benefits in favor of not-for-profit organizations. As a result, not-for-profit organizations and especially NGOs have problems in finding financial and long-term sustainability. Nonetheless, NGOs tend to have a presence on issues related to social inclusion, environment, human rights, democracy, rural development, anti-corruption initiatives. In addition, indigenous communities and rural populations have taken up causes related to socio-environmental claims.

One of the most important and recurring issues in the not-for-profit sector in Peru is related to the scope of state supervision of NGOs linked to international technical cooperation. This has given rise to an important legal-political debate contained in the Constitutional Court Judgment (2007), which also contains an analysis of the role of civil society organizations and the scope of state supervision. This topic has continued to be prominent as evidenced by several directives of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) on requirements for renewal of NGO registration before the APCI entity and other methods of control, which were modified in 2016.

Currently, the regulatory framework in civil matters in Peru generally remains quite flexible; however, there is no state policy of granting greater tax benefits in favor of not-for-profit organizations. As a result, not-for-profit organizations and especially NGOs have problems in achieving financial and long-term sustainability. Nonetheless, NGOs are addressing issues related to social inclusion, environment, human rights, democracy, rural development, anti-corruption initiatives. In addition, indigenous communities and rural populations have taken up causes related to socio-environmental claims.

One of the most important and recurring issues in the not-for-profit sector in Peru is related to the scope of state supervision of NGOs linked to international technical cooperation. This has given rise to an important legal-political debate contained in the Constitutional Court Judgment (2007), which also contains an analysis of the role of civil society organizations and the scope of state supervision. This topic has continued to be prominent as evidenced by several directives of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) on requirements for renewal of NGO registration before the APCI entity and other methods of control, which were modified in 2016.

Most recently, in 2018, the judicial system in Peru has been thrown into crisis by the dissemination of audio recordings that implicate members of the Consejo Nacional de la Magistratura (CNM) in the alleged crime of influence-trafficking. (The CNM is the entity in charge of appointing judges and prosecutors.) This crisis has led to the resignation of the President of the Judicial Power, Duberlí Rodriguez. By means of Law No. 30833 of July 24, 2018, the CNM was declared to be in an emergency situation, its operations were suspended, and its members were removed from office by the Congress of the Republic. The CNM is to be subject to a nine-month process of re-evaluation and restructuring with regard to its composition, objectives, function and organic structure.

International and Regional Human Rights Agreements

International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

Yes

1978

Optional Protocol to ICESCR (OP-ICESCR)

No

--

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)

Yes

1971

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Yes

1982

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

Yes

2001

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Yes

1990

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW)

Yes

2005

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Yes

2008

Regional Treaties

American Convention on Human Rights

Yes

1978

Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights "Protocol of San Salvador"

Yes

1995

* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty

Constitutional Framework

Article 2 ¶13 of the Constitution of Peru recognizes the right of every person to join and establish foundations and various forms of legally recognized non-profit organizations, without prior authorization in accordance with the law. In addition, the Constitution stipulates that these organizations cannot be dissolved by administrative decision.

Peru’s Constitution also recognizes, among other internationally recognized rights:

the right to equality before the law (no person should be discriminated against because of origin, race, sex, language, religion, opinion, economic status or any other factor) (Article 2 ¶2);

freedom of conscience and religion, individually or collectively (no one may be persecuted for their ideas or beliefs, or opinion) (Article 2 ¶3);

freedom of information, opinion, expression and dissemination of ideas through spoken or written word or image, by any media, without prior authorization or censorship or impediment (Article 2 ¶4);

the right to privacy, and the inviolability of one’s communications and documents (Article 2 ¶¶ 7 and 10);

Modifications in Resolutions of the Superintendency of Banking and Insurance and AFPs regarding Money Laundering, including RESOLUTION SBS No. 486-2008 and amending regulations, which are repealed by SBS Resolution No. 789-2018 (February 28, 2018) on Standard for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Applicable to Obligated Parties under the Supervision of the UIF-Peru; and RESOLUTION SBS No. 369-2018 (January 31, 2018) which Approves the Standard for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Applicable to those Obligated under the Limited System of Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and Applicable to Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) that collect, transfer and disburse funds, resources or other assets for charitable, religious, cultural, educational, scientific, artistic, social, recreational or solidarity purposes or purposes or for the realization of another type of actions or altruistic or charitable works, as long as they do not provide credits, microcredits or any other type of economic financing.

Please note that there are three important websites that have an updated and detailed section of legislation: Tax legislation: www.sunat.gob.pe; APCI: www.apci.gob.pe (Section Normativa APCI); and Money laundering: Superintendencia de Banca y Seguros: www.apci.gob.pe (Sección "Prevención Lavado de Activos").

Pending NGO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives

1. In July 2009, after violent clashes between civil society groups and the army in the north of the country, legislation was proposed that would expand the powers of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), which regulates funding to NGOs. It remains unclear whether there is enough support to see the legislation passed in Congress, if and when it is ever presented to the full Congress for a vote. However, there is a widespread belief among many government officials that civil society must be more tightly supervised and controlled by the State.

2. There has been a crisis of the judicial system in Peru since the dissemination of audios that implicate members of the Consejo Nacional de la Magistratura (CNM) in the alleged crime of influence-trafficking. The CNM is the entity in charge of appointing judges and prosecutors). This led to the resignation of the President of the Judicial Power, Duberlí Rodriguez. By means of Law No. 30833 of July 24, 2018, the CNM was declared to be in an emergency situation and its operations were suspended because its members were removed from office for serious reasons declared by the Congress of the Republic. It is to be subject to a process of re-evaluation and restructuring with regard to its composition, objectives, function and organic structure for a period of nine months.

3. One issue of concern is the system for the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism (SPLAFT) that is applicable to not-for-profit organizations (NPOs). In Peru, NPOs are obliged to report to the Intelligence Unit of Peru-UIF and must implement a limited SPLAFT, which aims to prevent their funds from being used for illicit purposes. In the case of NPOs that provide credits, microloans or any other type of economic financing, they must implement a general SPLAFT. In Peru, the National Plan against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism 2018-2021 (Supreme Decree No. 003-2018-JUS, March 2018) has been approved, as well as the Annual Supervision Plan of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation-APCI 2018 (approved by Executive Director Resolution N ° 080-2018 / APCI-DE, June 2018). Among other objectives, they require supervisory actions under the risk prevention approach for money laundering and financing of terrorism. More detail on NPO Good Practices in this topic can be found in SBS Bulletin 67-2018 (www.sbs.gob.pe). According to the National Risk Assessment of money laundering and financing of terrorism, which was conducted in November 2016, it is necessary for NPOs to execute a risk analysis that focuses on and / or identifies NPOs that may actually be vulnerable to engage in money laundering and financing of terrorism. It is important therefore for NPOs to be involved in the process of mutual evaluation that on this subject, which is still is in process in Peru.

Legal Analysis

Organizational Forms

The legal forms of civil society organization (CSOs), or non-profit legal entities, regulated by the Civil Code in Peru include the association, the foundation, and the committee. The most common classification is the association, while the committee is the least used classification due to its specific and temporary duration.

According to the Civil Code, an association is legally defined as “an organization established by two people or legal entities or both, that through a common activity pursue a non-profit objective,” and may define a public or social purpose. Thus, an association could be a beach club, cultural group, or philanthropic entity.

A foundation, on the other hand, is defined in the Civil Code as a “non-profit organization established by the assignment of one or more legal or natural personalities to accomplish objectives that are of religious, cultural, welfare, or other social interest.” In addition, an initial contribution of money or property is a prerequisite to establishing a foundation. Since the purpose of a foundation must be social in nature, private interest groups seeking to obtain benefits for themselves are not allowed to form this legal entity. Foundations are established less often than associations because there are many drawbacks, including being subject to more state control and supervision.

Associations in Peru are free to pursue any lawful mutual or public benefit purpose. Foundations, on the other hand, must pursue religious, aid-based, or cultural objectives, or other objectives of social interest. The Civil Code does not define the term “social interest.”

A non-governmental organization, or NGO, is a not-for-profit organization that receives a special designation as an NGO because it engages in “international technical cooperation” activities. However, there is no legal identification for NGOs, so they are considered de facto civil associations.

Public Benefit Status

Associations and Foundations are not automatically exempt from income tax payments. Instead, they must apply to the Peruvian Tax Agency (Superintendencia Nacional de Administración Tributaria-SUNAT) and register with the Register for Income Tax Exempt Entities (Registro de Entidades Exoneradas del Impuesto a la Renta). In practice, this tax exemption is quite restrictive and difficult to obtain.

However, qualifying CSOs can receive benefits from income tax in the following ways:

a.1 Immunity.- For foundations, the following exclusive purposes are not subject to Income Tax: culture, advanced research, charity, social and medical assistance and social benefits for company employees (Article 18 Subsection “c” of the Income Tax Law).

a.2 Exoneration.- For associations and other types of foundations (not eligible for the above immunity), a temporary exoneration (Article 19(b) of the Income Tax Law) is established by Law No. 30404, which was published on December 30, 2015 and extended until December 31, 2019 (Law No. 30898, December 28, 2018), (…)”, if they comply with the following requirements: (i) exclusive pursuit of the following purposes: charity, social assistance, education; cultural, science, art, literature, athletics, politics, union/trade-unions or housing; (ii) the qualifying activities are carried out within Peru; (iii) no distribution, directly or indirectly, among the associates or members; and (iv) the organization’s governing documents must state that, in the event of dissolution, assets must be directed to any of the purposes included in this article. The requirement that an organization include the aforementioned dissolution provision in its governing documents does not apply to those organizations registered in APCI's Registry of Foreign Organizations or Institutions of International Technical Cooperation (ENIEX).

Article 19(b) of Decreto Legislativo No. 1120 (in force from January 1, 2013) was modified to be more precise on issues related to the non-distribution of incomes directly or indirectly to associates or members or linked parties, and also establishes what the Tax Administration (Superintendencia Nacional de Administración Tributaria-SUNAT) will consider to be indirect distribution of incomes, such as the delivery of money and goods not subject to subsequent tax control. If the SUNAT verifies that an entity distributes, directly or indirectly, incomes, then the SUNAT will exclude (“dar de baja”) the entity from the Income Tax Exemption Registry and also will cancel the resolution of the entity eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. The foundation or association will not be granted the income tax exemption in the taxable year that it was excluded from the Registry and the following taxable year, but after that the entity can submit a new registration before the Tax Administration (after the two taxable years).

Associations and foundations that do not qualify for either immunity or exoneration of income tax are taxed as corporations based on their net income (annual fee). Per Legislative Decree No. 1261 of December 10, 2016 on the Modifications to the Income Tax Law, the new rate for corporations and taxpayers of the “third category” (rentas empresariales) is 29.50%. This new rate enters into force on January 1, 2017.

Barriers to Entry

The Civil Code offers very little regulation of associations. As a result, there is a tremendous amount of discretion given to the public registry in each jurisdiction. In fact, the criteria for registration vary between each registrar. To address this problem, the Full Court of Registration has adopted mandatory procedures based on precedent, which are published in the Official Diary “El Peruano.”

There is, however, a regulation on registration in the Register of Non-Corporative Legal Entities called Reglamento de Inscripciones del Registro de Personas Jurídicas No Societarias: Resolución de la Superintendente Nacional de los Registros Públicos No. 086-2009-SUNARP-SN. It was modified and replaced by a newer regulation on registration of legal entities called “Reglamento de Inscripciones del Registro de Personas Jurídicas”, which was approved in February 2013. This regulation addresses various aspects related to the registration procedures of not-for-profit organizations in Peru.

In addition, in May 2015, the APCI issued the Resolución Directoral Ejecutiva N° 085-2015-APCI-DE, which modified the requirements for renewal of the registration of NGOs (local) and ENIEX (Foreign Institutions of International Cooperation). As a result, these entities had to be supervised by the APCI when they used resources that were considered to be International Cooperation Non-Refundable (CINR). Furthermore, an amendment to the Resolución mandated that NGOs and ENIEX must comply with the APCI's monitoring and have a current RUC (Registro Unico de Contribuyente). On December 2016, however, APCI issued Resolución Directoral Ejecutiva Nº 130-2016/APCI-DE, which eliminated the requirements for NGOs and ENIEX to be supervised by APCI and to comply with the recommendations made as a result of the supervisory actions of APCI (that were established by Resolución Directoral Ejecutiva Nº 085-2015-APCI-DE).

With the passing of Supreme Decree No. 130-2008-PCM (December 2018), the renewal procedures of the registries of local NGOs and foreign organizations ( ENIEX ) before APCI have been eliminated and, therefore, the one-time registration will last indefinitely.

Barriers to Operational Activity

The most important legal barrier that NGOs have recently faced is the excessive control of resources administered by the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI). Under the legal framework, NGOs or any other group subject to the supervision and control of APCI must, among other responsibilities, provide extensive reporting about planned activities, sources of funding and other financial details.

An additional issue of concern relates to the system for the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism (SPLAFT) that is applicable to not-for-profit organizations (NPOs). In Peru, NPOs are obliged to report to the Intelligence Unit of Peru-UIF and must implement a limited SPLAFT, which aims to prevent their funds from being used for illicit purposes. NPOs that provide credits, microloans or any other type of economic financing must implement a general SPLAFT. The National Plan against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism 2018-2021 was approved in March 2018 (Supreme Decree No. 003-2018-JUS, March 2018) and the Annual Supervision Plan of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation-APCI 2018 was approved by Executive Director Resolution N ° 080-2018 / APCI-DE in June 2018 . Among other objectives, they require supervisory actions under the risk prevention approach for money laundering and financing of terrorism. More detail on NPO Good Practices o n this topic can be found in SBS Bulletin 67-2018 (www.sbs.gob.pe). According to the National Risk Assessment of money laundering and financing of terrorism, which was conducted in November 2016, NPOs must conduct a risk analysis that focuses on and / or identifies NPOs that may actually be vulnerable to engage in money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Barriers to Speech / Advocacy

Although Peruvian law does not prohibit CSOs from engaging in activities linked to politics or lobbying, or other activities that might influence public policy, there has been a continuous effort by state and non-state actors to silence unpopular groups.

Former President Fujimori's supporters in Congress, as well as some top government officials, have aggressively sought to discredit CSOs that advocate for human rights accountability. [1]

Barriers to International Contact

There are no legal restrictions to international contact. As explained in the following section, however, there are barriers to resources from external sources.

Barriers to Resources

The most controversial issue in Peru between civil society and government relates to the scope of supervision and control by the state (through the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation or APCI) of domestic and foreign organizations that finance or implement projects using international technical cooperation resources.

Before the issuance of Law No. 28925 in 2006, which modified the Law for the Creation of APCI, it was understood that registration with APCI was mandatory only for organizations that engaged in international technical cooperation channeled through state agencies in exchange for access to certain tax benefits. Law No. 28925 expanded APCI’s power to regulate organizations that manage international cooperation without state involvement but enjoy any privilege, benefit or tax exemption or use in any form state resources, or where the original cooperating entity is from a country that is a party to a bilateral or multilateral agreement with Peru. In addition, Law No. 28925 provides that registration with APCI "is mandatory to implement international technical cooperation, regardless of the legal nature of the cooperating source."

Law No. 28925 drew widespread criticism domestically and internationally. Critics charged that the law violated basic fundamental rights: namely the freedom of association, the freedom of privacy and equality of law, among others. As a result, two groups, including one comprised of civil society representatives and one comprised of legislators, lodged two separate constitutional lawsuits in 2007. The combined lawsuits were settled by the Constitutional Court of Peru when it struck down several provisions of the law, but upheld the majority of the law. The most important part of the ruling for civil society was the Court’s finding that registration with APCI is not obligatory for those organizations that do not accept any state benefits or use any state resources. In practice, however, opting out may not be that simple because nearly every organization utilizes state resources in some manner. The law also fails to define terms such as "state resources," which results in the government having wide discretion to exercise control over numerous organizations.
Since 2015 NGOs have advocated for the elimination of the re-registration requirement for NGOs receiving funds for international cooperation. The Asociacion Nacional de Centros (ANC) finally acknowledged that its practices were hindering NGO activities. On December 28, 2018 the Supreme Decree No. 130-2018-PCM was therefore enacted. It establishes new simplified and streamlined measures for administrative oversight and registering of Development NGOs and international technical cooperation organizations (ENIEX) by the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) and other agencies. Onerous re-registration requirements were also eliminated.

Barriers to Assembly

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is protected by the Constitution of Peru (1993), in Article 2, section number 12 (“Every person has the right to gather peacefully without arms”). To date, however, no specific Peruvian law regulates the right of assembly. That said, the Ministry of Interior requires organizers of “Public Gatherings (meetings, marches, parades, processions, feasts and religious services)” to comply with advance notification requirements (specified in the "Advance Notification" sub-heading below). This was stipulated by Directive 04-2011-10-1501 ("Provisions pertaining to the granting of guarantees for public gatherings, sporting and non-sporting public shows, and social events"), which was approved by Directorial Resolution number 2492-2011-IN-1501 on April 12, 2011.The Directive was updated by the new Directive 0009-2015-ONAGI "Sobre Otorgamiento de Garantías Inherentes al Orden Público (on Specific Aspects Granting Guarantees on Public Order)".

It is notable that on December 7, 2005 the Constitutional Court issued a judgment (Petition for Constitutional Relief dossier number 4677-2004-PA/TC-LIMA-Confederación General de Trabajadores del Perú), in which the Court proposed:

to the Congress of the Republic, the issuance of a law to regulate the exercise of the right to assembly; indication of the authority with jurisdiction over the matter, which authority shall receive advance notices for meetings held in public squares and thoroughfares, and notify of just causes used to restrict or forbid the holding of a meeting, the setting of limits to a meeting, et cetera, taking the Conclusions of this judgment in due consideration.

In Conclusion #14 of the Constitutional Court’s judgment, the right of assembly is defined as follows:

14. Right of Assembly may be defined as every person’s faculty to gather with others, in a specific place, temporarily and peacefully, without need of prior authorization, for the shared purposes of freely presenting and/or exchanging ideas or opinions, defending their own interests, or agreeing on joint actions.”
After this judgment, Bill 2222/2007/CR, or “Bill of an Act to Regulate the Exercise of the Freedom of Assembly”, was discussed during the legislative term from 2006-2011, but it was finally dropped in September 2011.

In light of the absence of a developed legal framework for assemblies, this section highlights some of the key existing barriers:

Advance Notification
Under the Peruvian Constitution, the following general criteria apply to the exercise of the right of assembly for “political gatherings:”

1) The right of assembly shall be exercised peacefully and without arms;

2) No advance notice is required for meetings held in private buildings, or meetings open to the public; and

3) The right of assembly in public squares and thoroughfares does not require prior Authorization, but [only] that advance communication or notice be given to the authorities.

That said, the Ministry of Interior requires organizers of “Public Gatherings (meetings, marches, parades, processions, feasts and religious services)” to comply with advance notification requirements. This is regulated by Directive 04-2011-10-1501 (Provisions pertaining to the granting of guarantees for public gatherings, sporting and non-sporting public shows, and social events), which was approved by Directorial Resolution number 2492-2011-IN-1501 of 12 April 2011.The Directive was updated by the new Directive 0009-2015-ONAGI "Sobre Otorgamiento de Garantías Inherentes al Orden Público ("on Specific Aspects Granting Guarantees on Public Order")".

Notification requirements for “public gatherings” are as follows:

In the case of "political gatherings," the petitioner or legal representative of the organizing institution must submit and sign a written document, in a specific format, two (2) working days before the gathering takes place.

In the case of other non-political "public gatherings," the petitioner or legal representative of the organizing institution must submit and sign a written document, in a specific format, three (3) working days before the gathering takes places. The petition must include information about the petitioner (name and family names of the individual petitioner, or that of the legal representative of the organizing institution), personal identity card number, domicile and phone number; and the institution’s name, plus information about the gathering itself (date, beginning time, end time, place, route and pre-gatherings [attaching a map or sketch]), the approximate [expected] number of participants, and further information, specific to the gathering in question.

A “commitment document” must also be submitted (in a specific format) and signed by the legal representative of the petitioning organization stating that a commitment is undertaken that the public gathering referred to in the petition will:

"take place without altering public order, interfering with or hindering normal transit, and without causing damages to property, either public or private; and liability is assumed that no arm, device, explosive or flammable material will be carried, and no blunt objects will be carried. [The signer] assumes criminal liability as appropriate."

Should public authorities fail to respond specifically to the petition within a given period of time, then the petition must be deemed denied (negative administrative silence), and the petitioner may file an administrative remedy, as appropriate, either as a motion for reconsideration (before the same authority) or as an appeal (to a higher authority). The term for administrative remedies is fifteen (15) working days, and the term for a decision is thirty (30) working days.

"Spontaneous assemblies" are considered to be an administrative issue requiring prior notice or communication to the authorities to ensure public order, security, or protection of property.

Counter-Demonstrations
Article 359 of the Electoral Organic Act (Act number 26859) states that:

"The occurrence of more than one demonstration in a public place within one single city is hereby forbidden, except for places separated by more than one kilometer. Decisions in this regard will be made by the appropriate political authority, which will set an order of preference in keeping with the order notices were received."

Excessive Force
In 2015, the government declared a 30-day State of Emergency, which suspended the rights of freedom of movement and assembly, in three provinces near Apurimac following violent clashes between protesters and police, which left four people dead and fifteen people injured. In 2012, two people were also killed while protesting a separate project at Tintaya.

Reports

UN Universal Periodic Review Reports

UPR Peru
National report
Compilation of UN information
Summary of stakeholders' information
Report of the Working Group
Decision on the Outcome
Draft Report on the eighth session of the Human Rights Council

http://mesadearticulacion.org/

This website refers to a group composed of 17 local associations and 5 regional networks of NGOs from Latin America that search for a common agenda about civil society organizations. The website contains important updates and reports about the legal framework, access to financing and other news about civil society organizations

News and Additional Resources

While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.

Key Events

In October 2018, the judiciary declared that the Supreme Resolution of December 2017, which granted a pardon for humanitarian reasons to former President Alberto Fujimori , has no legal effect. Therefore, he was ordered to return to prison to complete his sentence. On January 23, 2019 -- after being hospitalized for more than 100 days at the Centenario Clinic (Lima) -- he was taken to Barbadillo prison, where he had been serving his sentence before he was pardoned.

General News

Peru to Respect Regional Court’s Ruling on Fujimori (June 2018)Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said that his administration will abide by any ruling reached by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the pardon granted to former head of state Alberto Fujimori. While Vizcarra declined to speculate on the possible contents of the ruling during a meeting with the foreign press in Lima, he did say that his government’s position is to “observe the Constitution, as well as local and international laws.” Fujimori, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity during his 1990-2000 presidency, walked out of jail last December after receiving a pardon from then-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

Peru’s President Offers Resignation Over Vote-Buying Scandal (March 2018)After less than two years in office, Peru’s embattled president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, offered his resignation, a day after the release of videos that showed key allies trying to buy the support of opposition lawmakers. Mr. Kuczynski had spent months fighting off attempts to oust him, and he had vowed not to resign. But he faced an impeachment trial, which he appeared likely to lose, and the release of the videos made his decision inevitable.

Peru's Teachers' Strike May Have Ended, but Its Grievances Remain (September 2017)Peru's education system has been rocked by a nearly two-month-long teachers' strike that came to a "temporary" end on September 2, but not before tarnishing the image of the government and threatening to force school children to repeat the academic year. While the teachers were able to agree on some terms with the government, many underlying issues remain unresolved.

Ombudsman Report for 2017 (February 2017)There were a total of 212 social conflicts (144 socio-environmental conflicts), the majority of which were in the departments of Apurimac and Ancash.

Peru Declares State of Emergency After Mine Clashes (October 2015)
The Peruvian government declared a 30-day state of emergency in three provinces throughout the country following violent clashes between protesters and police, which left four people dead and fifteen people injured. Under the presidential decree, the armed forces will now support the national police in maintaining order in these provinces. The state of emergency also suspends the rights of freedom of movement and assembly. The violence began after protesters began demonstrating against the proposed expansion of the Las Bambas mining project located in Apurimac, which they claim will have a negative environmental impact.

First meeting for Las Bambas case (October 2015)
A roundtable will try the case of the mining project Las Bambas with its first meeting on 6 October in the municipality of Coyllurqui. According to the minutes of the meeting, the roundtable will be attended by the mayors of the districts, representatives of civil society and representatives of the executive. The population of Cotabambas province of the southern Andean region of Apurimac is in general strike against the mining project Las Bambas.

New Report on Social Conflicts in Peru (March 2014)
This document reports the following: (i) There were three (3) new social conflicts in February 2014; (ii) There are 166 active social conflicts and 46 latent social conflicts; (iii) The majority of social conflicts are located in the department of Ancash (24 cases), Apurimac (22 cases) and Puno (18 cases); followed by departments of Piura (13 cases) and Cajamarca (14 cases); (iv) The social conflicts are fundamentally social-environmental (64.2%, 136 cases);and (v) There have been registered 100 collective actions of protest.
Modern virtual Platform created by APCI-Agencia Peruana de Cooperación Internacional (December 2013)
In December 2013, APCI launched the modern virtual Platform, which provides important information about the international cooperation of Peru, such as the National Policy for Technical International Cooperation in Peru (2012), information about international sources of cooperation, and other projects of International Cooperation.

New Report of Social Conflicts in Peru (November 2013)
In November 2013 a report was published on Social Conflicts in Peru by the Ombudsman of Peru. This important document reports the following: (i) There has been five (5) new social conflicts in November 2013; (ii) There are active 174 social conflicts and latent 47 social conflicts, (iii) The major number of social conflicts are located in the department of Ancash( 30 cases), Apurimac (23 cases) and Puno (18 cases); followed by departments of Piura (13 cases), Cajamarca (13 cases) and Junin (13 cases); (iv) The social conflicts are fundamentally social environmental (64.7%, 143 cases); (v) There has been registered 85 collective actions of protest.

More Mine Protests Planned (February 2013)
Opponents of the stalled $5 billion Minas Conga copper and gold mine project in northern Peru plan to hold more protests in 2013, including a referendum in July. Violent clashes between police and protesters in 2012 led project lead operator Newmont Mining Corp (NEM) to put work leading to production on hold, while it builds water reservoirs. Protesters have said any project could hurt water supplies, something that Newmont disputes.

UN labour agency names five countries where ‘serious and urgent’ labour-rights cases need attention (November 2012)
A key rights committee of the United Nations labour agency identified five countries where it says worker-rights violations – some involving murder – represent the “most serious and urgent cases” among 32 countries examined at its meeting. Argentina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji and Peru were singled out by the Committee on Freedom of Association of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) after Committee members reviewed cases involving rights to organize, negotiate through collective bargaining and engage in social dialogue.

Violent suppression of protest in Peru (October 2012)
One person has been killed and dozens more have been injured in a protest in Lima. The protest began over an attempt by the local government council to relocate market traders.

Spanish NGO sends humanitarian aid to Peru (August 2012)
The Spanish NGO Madre Coraje (Mother Courage) sent 20,000 kilos of aid to Peru through the coordination center, Caritas Peru. Caritas Peru supports the actions and programs of hundreds of institutions and religious congregations working in poor and inaccessible regions Peru where the most vulnerable populations live.

Urgent action to protect human rights of protesters (July 2012)
The International Network for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) transmitted a communication to the Government of Peru requesting urgent action to protect the human rights of people protesting the Conga gold mine in Peru after five people lost their lives during the week of July 3 in a wave of “disproportionate police repression”.

HRW: Cajamarca response requires restraint, respect for Rule of Law (July 2012)
Three civilians died from gunshot wounds on July 3, 2012 in the city of Celendín during a confrontation between protesters and police and army units outside the city hall. More than 30 other civilians were injured, several of them reportedly with bullet wounds, according to local hospital officials. The government declared a state of emergency in three of Cajamarca department’s provinces. Those who died on July 3 – Faustino Silva Sánchez, José Eleuterio García Rojas, and César Medina Aguilar, a 17-year-old high school student – appear to have been shot after army units moved in to help the police. Another civilian, José Antonio Sánchez, who was gravely injured by a bullet wound in the throat, died in a hospital on July 5. There have been strikes and protests in the region against a large open-cast gold mine for several months.

Peru NGO workers detained near Newmont mine (March 2012) Seven employees from a not-for-profit organization created by Newmont Mining's Peruvian subsidiary have been detained by townspeople near the company's stalled $4.8 billion Conga mine, the group said on Friday. A leader of the townspeople opposing the mine in northern Cajamarca, the most expensive ever attempted in Peru, said the workers were being investigated for trying to generate support for the giant gold and copper project but that all seven would be released soon.

Civil society helps Peru achieve EITI compliance (February 2012)
Peru has become the first Latin American country to achieve compliant status in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). A longtime EITI candidate, Peru received the approval of the EITI Board on 15 February, along with Mauritania. RWI local partner Cooperacción is the civil society representative on Peru's EITI multi-stakeholder committee and has worked hard towards EITI validation. Julia Cuadros, director of Cooperacción, says improved information about oil and mining company payments to the Peruvian government helped Peru achieve compliance.